EU Countries Back Tougher Visa Rules for Russian Citizens, Kallas Says

European Union countries have given broad backing to tougher visa rules for Russian citizens, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Kallas made the statement after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, attended by the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Britain. The proposal would bar former Russian soldiers who took part in the war in Ukraine from receiving visas and impose stricter conditions on other Russian applicants.

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Attempts to intimidate Europe will not succeed.

The discussion followed Germany’s public accusation that Russia had attempted to stage sabotage at Leipzig airport. Drones carrying explosives were found there last month. The EU and Britain expressed solidarity with Germany over the incident.

“Attempts to intimidate Europe will not succeed,” Kallas said.

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The number of visas issued to Russian citizens for holidays in the European Union is too high.

A spokesman for Germany’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the number of visas issued to Russian citizens for holidays in the European Union was “too high.” Germany will seek to persuade other EU countries to reduce the number further, he said. Visas should be issued only to Russians who do not pose a threat, although he did not explain how authorities would assess that risk.

“I would not want to give anyone an opportunity to bypass these control measures,” the spokesman said.

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I would not want to give anyone an opportunity to bypass these control measures.